“Producers create value by serving other people’s needs.” – Orrin Woodward
Life Leadership is so proud of its Members who continue to plan, coordinate and serve for the Life on Life Initiative. What makes these stories so inspiring is that there is no external motivation driving these projects except for the pure joy that givers receive when they serve a cause and a purpose larger than themselves. Our promise is that no story will go untold, so if you share it with us, we will share it with the rest of the world.
Recently, a Life Leadership organization from the northwest region of the United States organized a Life on Life project that allowed several people to serve and give of their time to a local food bank. Here is the story, written by Darin and Sonya Strawn:
How much does it cost to help others in need? Nothing, except time, and when a team goes out to serve together, even more can be accomplished.
On December 19th, 2015, several Life Leadership Members from Oregon came together and helped pack 26,494 pounds of potatoes, resulting in 22,078 meals for the Oregon Food Bank. Each volunteer’s effort fed 254 people.
When we arrived at the Oregon Food Bank, we went to work filling sacks of potatoes. The enormous bags donated to the Oregon Food Bank were 5 feet tall and at least 5 feet across. With 4 to 6 people surrounding each bag, we went to work.
As we worked packing individual sacks of potatoes, we made new friends with other volunteers, all while doing a service to feed others. After we completed our packing, we gathered around to hear more about the Oregon Food Bank. We learned that Oregon is #3 on the list of hungriest states. This was a huge shock to many of us because we knew that so many foods were grown in Oregon and shipped all around the country!
“So many times we fail to see the need right in front of our eyes.”
It seems as though the holiday season has the heaviest turn out for volunteers, while the summer has the lowest number. Yet people are no less hungry in July than they are in December. What surprised us was the number of people who rely on the Oregon Food Bank as their main food source, and yet many work full-time jobs!
When we heard that the families in need run out of food in the summer months and rely on the Oregon Food Bank (because children are provided for during the school year from school lunch programs), we knew what we had to do. Team Stealth Dream Fighters decided that we would return in the summer to serve again when the need is greater. Many Life Leadership Members traveled two or more hours just to serve in this Life on Life Initiative.
Here is what volunteers had to say:
“I really enjoyed donating my time for the worthwhile cause. I can honestly tell you that repacking potatoes was a lot easier than harvesting potatoes from the field. (I have done that and without modern day equipment). For a short period of time on our part, we really helped a lot of people especially just before the Christmas season. I would be more than willing to participate in any other endeavors that Life on Life puts together.” – BJ Misenar (Life Leadership Member)
“It was a fantastic experience. I haven’t submitted myself outside of my comfortable surroundings in a while, so it was good for me to see that not everyone is as fortunate as I am, and how completely uncomfortable I was about that. It felt good to serve, but moreover it gave a better sense of the big picture of why we do Life Leadership and why they say, “Build it for reasons unknown.” It always seems to feel like the over-riding reason to go forward. It’s not just about me, but who God has put before me to be of service to. Mt 23:11″ – Lori O’Haver (Life Leadership Member)
“Volunteering at the Oregon Food Bank was one of the most fulfilling, heartwarming, things we have ever done. Working with a room full of excited, hardworking, happy people, while doing something for people who are less fortunate made us feel more fortunate for what ‘we have.’ We plan on going back again this summer, when they need more volunteers, or anytime the Life Leadership Community does this again.” – Dawn and Bruce Turner (Life Leadership Members)
“It was a lot of fun. I was happy to able to help our community. I wasn’t aware how much need that there was. I am looking forward to the next time we can help the food bank again. That was a lot of potatoes!” – Laura Wilson (Life Leadership Member)
“With guidance and mentoring from Dan and Lisa Hawkins, our team came together to help create 22,078 meals for those in need. I’m honored to be a part of an organization that gives back. I’m proud to be a part of this group of rascals!!” – Darin and Sonya Strawn (Life Leadership Members)
I challenge you today….what is your worthy cause? Will you lead others to the cause of setting people free?
Oregon Food Bank Highlight Video:
Thank you to all of the Life Leadership Members from the Stealth Dream Fighters organization, under the leadership of Dan and Lisa Hawkins, for serving at the Oregon Food Bank and making a difference in the lives of people who need it most.
Lloyd Weiler says
Awesome way to serve!!
Leah says
Way to go Dream Fighters! The hands that serve are the hands that truly communicate love. You guys are wonderful…and so inspiring!
Brandon Perry says
Proud of you guys. Loved reading that you will come back when volunteering is low yet need is high. This is what will bring a country back, people serving people.
Darin Strawn says
This team is awesome!! A couple of members who when above and beyond:
Denese Brown – Thank you for taking extra time to put this article together and sending it in L.I.F.E.
Dan Heinze – Thank you for taking pictures at the event.
Dream Fighters – Thank you to all the members that took the time to give back to our community.
Matt Mielke says
Nice job Northwest!! Inspiration through serving others.. nothing better than that!!
Rusty Hampton says
Always a joy to read about people serving others.
Juleen Ray says
When to go Dream Fighters!!!
Woo hoo!!!
Maree McKeown says
I am very touched with this article. I am very much proud to all of you doing those thing for other people’s sake. You may also visit our website https://theleadershipline.wordpress.com/ so we can exchange our thoughts. Thanks!